A recent royal visit to a major cultural institution highlighted a subtle departure from established visitor guidelines, drawing attention to a familiar figure’s personal style choices.
During the opening of the V&A East Storehouse in London, the Princess of Wales toured the new archival facility. While the museum’s public guidance explicitly recommends that guests wear flat, practical shoes due to the building’s metal grid flooring, the royal was photographed in a pair of black high heels. She paired them with a bright blue tailored blazer and trousers.
The storehouse allows visitors to request specific items from its vast collection of hundreds of thousands of objects, books, and archives for closer inspection. The environment, designed for conservation and access, typically calls for sensible footwear.
When asked about the choice of footwear, the director of the storehouse expressed no concern. He praised the royal’s engagement and professionalism during the tour, noting her focused interest in the collection. He highlighted her longstanding academic background in art history and her energetic approach to the visit, during which she reportedly requested to see several specific items, including fabric samples and objects connected to nature.
This instance is not the first time the Princess’s footwear has attracted notice during public duties. On a previous occasion several years ago, a similar style choice led to a minor mishap.
The Princess and her husband, the Prince of Wales, have three children.
